Home Loan Program for Akwesasne Veterans

MOU Signed between Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and
Veteran’s Affairs

On Saturday,
December 7, 2013, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) securing
direct home loan benefits to eligible Mohawk veterans on the Saint Regis Mohawk
Reservation. Loans are now available for veterans to purchase, build or improve
a home at Akwesasne, a benefit not previously available. Traveling to mark this
occasion were two representatives from VA.
Mike Frueh, National Director of Loan Guaranty Programs in Washington,
DC is responsible for the oversight of all loan programs for the VA. His focus is bringing a greater understanding
and use of Native American veteran’s loan products to Indian Country. Peter
Vicaire is a Tribal Government Relations Specialist from the Eagan, Minnesota
office. Mr. Vicaire will be our regional contact specific to any work with the
Native American Direct Loan Programs.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe celebrated
the signing of this MOU at the American Legion Post 1479 in Akwesasne on
Saturday, December 7, 2013. Chief Ron LaFrance signed the official MOU and
stated it was “an absolute honor to be able to share this occasion with our
veterans. It is very difficult for us to get a mortgage on the reservation.
This will allow our Mohawk veterans to be able to apply for a bank mortgage,
build a home for their family, and receive the same competitive rates people
living off Indian land are eligible for.”

The Honorable P.J. Herne shared a
profoundly touching view of exactly what this MOU means today, but especially
what it may mean to a young Akwesashró:non
tomorrow. “What will the ‘rest of the story’ involve? We cannot predict such
things, but what is certain is that in the future, a young man or woman from
Akwesasne is going to be sitting down with an Armed Forces Recruiter. As they
review the benefits of enlisting, let us hope that the VA/ Saint Regis MOU will
be noted. And should that young person from Akwesasne ask ‘What is this for?’
Let us hope someone can tell them: ‘because, Kenneth Herne crossed the Ganges
River in India with the Army Engineers, because Charlie Cook weathered storms
on bleak Iceland, because Johnny Cook saw all of Europe through a B-24’s nose
gunner’s blister, because Barney Rourke rode into Tienstsin with the first
Marines, because of them, and hundreds of them before you, you have the
opportunity to receive assistance from the VA in acquiring a home on the Saint
Regis Indian Reservation’.”

Veterans who have earned the VA home
loan benefit can now take full advantage of the no-down payment home loan
program for properties on Indian land. This includes re-finance options to
receive competitive interest rates.